Jordan Ibe, Rolando Aarons and the five young Premier League stars to watch out for

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Raheem Sterling may have grabbed all the headlines for his big-money move to Manchester City, but Richard Jolly looks at five other young stars who could set the Premier League alight this season.

Jordon Ibe

The benefits of Raheem Sterling’s sale could go beyond the £49 million (Dh281.3m) injection into the coffers at Anfield. The Brazilian Roberto Firmino is a fine player but not exactly a winger. If Liverpool want a quick, skilful, touchline-hugging presence, Ibe is the logical replacement. The 19-year-old Englishman excelled in the second half of last season, when he was Liverpool’s best player in the Merseyside derby against Everton. Unlike Sterling, Ibe was quick to agree a long-term contract with Liverpool.

Jason Denayer

It has been a trade of Belgians. Denayer was on loan at Celtic last season when Dedryck Boyata was Manchester City’s fourth-choice centre-back. Now Boyata has been sold to the Scottish champions and Denayer has been recalled. Quick and tougher than he once was, Denayer, 20, won the PFA Young Player of the Year award in Scotland. His progress was recognised when he was capped by a Belgium team lacking Vincent Kompany, another City centre-back, and praised for his performance in a win against France.

Dele Alli

Comparisons can be dangerous and unfair. Dele Alli has been dubbed “the new Steven Gerrard” and grew up idolising the former Liverpool captain. Common denominators can be seen among midfielders with pace, strength and an eye for both a goal and a pass. Perhaps it is as well that Alli joined Tottenham Hotspur, not Liverpool, in January, though he was promptly loaned back to MK Dons. He arrives at White Hart Lane after a 16-goal campaign to play for a coach, in Mauricio Pochettino, who has shown a willingness to give youth a chance.

Rolando Aarons

Perhaps Newcastle United’s 2014/15 season would not have been so wretched had Rolando Aarons been fit more often. Rare glimpses of the 19-year-old winger showed a crowd-pleaser in the making, a player with the speed and skill to beat an opponent. Aarons, an England Under-20 international, offered hints of incision, too, scoring two goals in six games. With Sammy Ameobi loaned out to Cardiff City, the path seems clear for the younger and more gifted Aarons to have a breakthrough season — if he can stay fit.

Harrison Reed

Southampton’s academy is one of the most admired, and profitable, around. Several graduates are on the fringes of the first team. Harrison Reed may be the brightest, and their Europa League campaign could give him more opportunities. His red hair makes him immediately identifiable, but he is worth watching for other reasons. The combative character is used as a ball-winner, and while Jordy Clasie has been brought to replace Morgan Schneiderlin, Reed, 20, could provide the muscle the Frenchman used to supply in midfield.